Umpiring helps Brown remain close to the game

STARKVILLE — Michael Brown is comfortable in his role as an umpire on the baseball field.

After playing baseball at Mississippi State and in independent leagues, Brown was looking for ways to stay around the game.

Brown returned to school at Mississippi State and was looking for a way to make some extra money.

That’s when Starkville High School assistant coach Reggie Campbell stepped in.

Ridgeland returns to try to defend Dizzy Dean World Series title

The timing of the State Games in the Meridian and other conflicts have kept many teams away from the Dizzy Dean High School World Series with only 17 participating this year.

Even though the State Games has had an impact on Ridgeland’s team, it still realizes the importance returning to the Golden Triangle to defend its championship.

Ridgeland defeated New Hope in the championship game last year and coach Jerry Dupuy, a former Mississippi State pitcher, is excited about bringing the team back for a chance to repeat.

Starkville’s Tate to compete in USA Junior Nationals

Don’t tell Starkville sprinter Tavaris Tate that he only has to finish in the top five of the 400-meter dash to advance to the Junior Pan-American Games in Trindad next month.

Tate won’t be satisfied unless he comes out on top when he competes in the event Saturday and Sunday at the United States Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.

The premliminaries will be Saturday and the finals Sunday.

Mississippi State upgrades Twitter service in past month

STARKVILLE — Terms like Yahoo, Google, Twitter, and Facebook are entering the vocabulary of coaches on a more regular basis.

Mississippi State has upgraded its Twitter capabilities in the past month, and its coaches have begun to realize they can use this technology to their advantage.

The MSU athletic department consolidated its Twitter offerings so coaches and administrators who maintain Twitter accounts can be found at one location: mstateathletics.com.

MSU football coach Dan Mullen instills discipline

STARKVILLE –– Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen is satisfied with how involved the members of his coaching staff are in the lives of the players.

Mullen realizes neither he nor his assistant coaches can watch their players 24 hours a day, and that’s when self-discipline has to kick in.

Mullen tries to instill in the Bulldogs every day the importance of being champions on and off the field.

Outlaw returns home to speak at Starkville camp

STARKVILLE — It wasn’t about football or basketball to Travis Outlaw, of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.

It was about giving back to his hometown of Starkville.

Teaching the game of football was the emphasis for Camp Complete on Friday and Saturday at Starkville High School, and Outlaw returned to his alma mater eager to meet some of his young fans.

Even though Outlaw’s sport is basketball, he tries to never miss an opportunity to be visible in his hometown.

Gillespie happy to see campers have a fun day

STARKVILLE –– The smiles were all the satisfaction that Camp Complete director Willie Gillespie needed.

While teaching football was the primary purpose of the camp on Friday and Saturday at Starkville High School, Gillespie hopes the participants had a good time in the process.

Gillespie, who played football at East Mississippi Community College and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before spending three years with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Bucaneers, said the camp was all about making the children of the community feel special.

Tate, Varnado share special bonds with their dads

Tavaris Tate knows he wouldn’t be where he is today running track if it weren’t for the support of his father, Russell Tate.

Being close to his father and family was the main reason he chose to sign a track scholarship with Mississippi State.

For Mississippi State basketball player Jarvis Varnado, he also values the opinion of his father, West Point High School boys coach Winston Varnado.

MSU’s Smith ready to play after overcoming injury

STARKVILLE — Former Columbus High School offensive lineman Tobias Smith is going through offseason workouts at Mississippi State.

Smith and the other Bulldogs coming back from injuries are happy about conditioning with little or no pain.

Wide receiver Brandon McRae, running back Robert Elliott, tight end Marcus Green, and wide receiver O’Neal Wilder were all smiles Thursday exiting the Holliman Athletic Training Center.

After breaking his left ankle in the first fall scrimmage of 2008 at MSU, Smith said he’s back to 100 percent. He credits the coaching staff, medical staff, and his family for helping him come back from the injury.

Women to learn game of football at MSU’s Ladies Football Clinic

STARKVILLE — Sunday might be Father’s Day, but Saturday will be all about the women at Mississippi State.

Mississippi State will play host to the Ladies Football Clinic, which will provide a wealth of information about football.

Megan Mullen, the wife of Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen, believes the women who will participate will enjoy the experience.

Starkville Academy softball team aims higer for upcoming season

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy had a winning fast-pitch softball season this past fall, but the players and coach Randy Haynes believe it could have been much better.

As the Lady Volunteers prepare for this season by playing in the High School Summer League at the Starkville Sportsplex, they hope to learn the little things that will help them turn close losses into wins.

Starkville Academy pitcher Lyndsey Haynes, daughter of the coach, knows a better start in games will go a long way to helping the team produce positive results.

Former Bulldog Hogue eager to get professional career started

David Lane said former Mississippi State center fielder Grant Hogue can’t get to Greeneville, Tenn., fast enough.

Lane, the manager of the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, believes Hogue’s speed on the basepaths will make him an instant weapon when his team begins competition Tuesday.

George Evans Memorial softball tournament set for 30th year

STARKVILLE — The 30th annual George Evans Memorial Softball Tournament will be much about memories.

Emphasis will be placed on those who have passed away recently and who has made an impact on the tournament through the years.

The tournament, which will be June 26-27 at the Starkville Sportsplex, is named after the late George Evans, who was a member of the Deacon and Trustee Boards at Second Baptist in Starkville and was a leader in the city, county, and state.

‘Cool’ memories for native son

STARKVILLE — The staff at the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum want to make sure the memory of former Negro League baseball player and Starkville native James “Cool Papa” Bell isn’t forgotten.

On the suggestion by The Greater Starkville Partnership, the museum has put together a lasting tribute to Bell.

MSU has plans for facelifts at athletic facilities

STARKVILLE — There have been many changes to Mississippi State’s athletic landscape the past several months.

The biggest deals with technology thanks to the installation of jumbotrons at Mississippi State’s football, baseball, and soccer stadiums.

With those projects at or near completion, the focus at MSU has shifted to other needs.

Words were appropriate at Foster’s memorial service

There wasn’t much more one could add to what was expressed Tuesday at a memorial service for Don Foster at the Starkville Sportsplex.

Foster, the former sports editor of The Starkville Daily News, was a friend to many people, and I’m fortunate to be one of them. Don died June 8 at his West Point home.

Starkville Academy girls basketball coach Glenn Schmidt, Starkville High School baseball coach Danny Carlisle, and former Mississippi State Athletic Director Larry Templeton were the main speakers and couldn’t have done a better job in recalling memories of Don. Their words were heartfelt and sincere.

Starkville, Pickens Academy split Dizzy Dean doubleheader

STARKVILLE — The Pickens Academy Dizzy Dean baseball team, of Carrollton, Ala., looks at any opportunity to play this summer as a learning experience.

The chance to come to Mississippi and play a Class 5A program like Starkville High School is an added bonus.

Pickens Academy bounced back from a 5-3 opening-game loss to beat Starkville 10-3 in a six-inning second game to gain a doubleheader split.

Simsiriwong goes home to work on her golf game

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy golfer Korakot Simsiriwong has returned to her native Thailand for rest and relaxation before schools starts again in August.

She took her golf clubs with her.

Simsiriwong wants to keep her game sharp so she can have more success on the course when she returns to the United States.

“My dad (Pramoth) got me started playing golf and I love it,” Simsiriwong said. “I definitely want to keep playing.”

Byrne strives for MSU to be best it can be

STARKVILLE — Greg Byrne paused last week to reflect on his first year as Mississippi State Athletic Director and he pointed to one specific thing that impressed him most.

Since taking over the day-to-day operations of the Mississippi State athletic department on July 11, 2008, Byrne said it has been the people he works with who have made the transition a positive one.

Byrne knew it would be difficult to replace a man like Larry Templeton, but said his approach and ideas have been well received.

MSU’s Bowen, Hogue selected in major league draft

STARKVILLE –– Ron Polk gave Grant Hogue an opportunity to play baseball at Mississippi State.

Hogue built on that chance this season for first-year coach John Cohen.

After transferring from Pearl River Community College and having two productive seasons at MSU, Hogue will take his talents to the next level.

The Houston Astros selected Hogue in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Thursday.